Improving Medication Adherence in ADHD Adolescents

We will evaluate a dual component family-based intervention for adolescents with ADHD to
improve medication adherence (Supporting Teen Adherence and Responsibility; STAR). STAR pairs
Motivational Interviewing with parent-teen behavioral contracting. In the proposed study,
adolescents with ADHD and a history of chronic nonadherence to their ADHD medication will be
randomly assigned to medication alone (medication as usual: MAU) or MAU+STAR. They will be
treated for 6 months with a 12 month maintenance period and 12 month followup. All
interventions will occur at the offices of participants primary care physicians.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Diagnosis of ADHD; currently prescribed an FDA-approved medication for ADHD, history
of medication nonadherence (taking less than 60% of prescribed doses); full scale
Intelligence Quotient >80, no current language delay and/or had no language delays
before age 3.

Exclusion Criteria:

- active medical conditions that could be worsened by stimulants (seizures, arrhythmias,
hypertension) unless patient has clearance from primary specialist taking care of
existing condition, pregnancy, Bipolar Disorder, schizophrenia, and/or other psychotic
disorders, and diagnosis of current substance abuse or dependence (except nicotine),
current psychotropic medication for conditions other than ADHD.